POSITIVE findings were made by Ofsted which carried out an unannounced inspection of services provided by Middlesbrough Council for vulnerable children.

The team of inspectors spent two days last month with the council’s Children, Families and Learning department.

They were looking work to reduce child abuse and neglect through contact, referral and assessment arrangements. The Ofsted inspectors spoke to and observed staff, from frontline social workers to senior officers. They considered a range of evidence including case records and supervision files. The inspectors found that children in need of safeguarding, including those affected by domestic abuse, were identified and referred quickly, with prompt action to identify risk of harm. Further positive findings included:

:: Children and young people are involved in assessments and their views taken into account;

:: Child protection inquiries are carried out promptly, with swift action taken when protection is required;

:: Staff supervision is strong, with emphasis on case management and professional development, and

:: The inquiry and assessment service has been strengthened to respond to the recent significant increase in referrals.

:: Staff were highly committed to safeguarding vulnerable children, with good communication and effective training.

Areas identified for further development included insufficient use of the Common Assessment Framework, a need to accelerate the implementation of the electronic integrated children’s system and delays in recording the outcomes of assessments.

Mike Carr, Middlesbrough Executive councillor for children, families and learning, said: “The picture painted by the inspection team is a very positive one and speaks volumes about the commitment and hard work of staff. The safety of our children is of paramount importance and this report highlights the fantastic work done.

“But there can never be room for complacency – the areas which have been identified for development are already under close review, and every effort will be made to ensure young people continue to have access to the best possible services.”

Last month the findings of a serious case review were published. The inquiry into the abuse which left a vulnerable teenager close to death heavily criticised child protection services. The teenager had moved to live with relatives in Middlesbrough.

Nine major recommendations were included in that report and Gill Rollings, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive director of children, families and learning, said at the publication of the report that all the recommendations had either been implemented or would be put into place.